News & Announcements

July 24, 2015 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is nearing the end of a multi-year effort to update and modernize the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for Hawai‘i County. The updated maps will help community officials and local residents better identify known flood risks and when finalized, will be used for flood insurance, land use and development decisions.

Flooding is one of the major natural disasters in the United States. These maps can help residents make informed decisions about flood insurance options and flood protection measures.

The preliminary FIRM maps serve to revise and update information on the existence and severity of flood hazards in Hawaii County. The revised maps reflect the combined efforts of FEMA and Hawai‘i County. The maps will be available for viewing beginning August 14th at the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works Engineering offices at either 101 Pauahi St., Suite 7 in Hilo (808 961-8327) or 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building D, 1st floor of the West Hawaii Civic Center in Kona (808 323-4850). They will also be available for online viewing on the State of Hawai‘i’s Flood Hazard Assessment Tool (FHAT) at http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat.

To learn how to view the preliminary maps using the FHAT, click on the tutorial link provided on the Hawai‘i NFIP Website www.hawaiinfip.org.

Residents and property owners are encouraged attend one of two Informational Public Meetings planned for August 17th and 18th. Personnel from the FEMA, the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawaii County will be available to answer questions, concerns, and provide information on the mapping timeline and appeals process.

County of Hawaii credits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and American Red Cross for material used on this site.